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4,971 releases
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TUV warns against Stormont return
TUV leader Jim Allister warns that unionists advocating a Stormont return to change the Protocol/Windsor Framework are deluded, arguing MLAs would need mutual agreement and that EU law governs the Protocol, so Stormont could not influence it.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: TUV warns against Stormont return (opens in a new tab)
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SF & Alliance must give clarity on Puberty Blockers
The DUP calls on Sinn Fein and the Alliance Party to clarify their position on whether children should be able to undergo puberty blocker treatment without parental consent, after Sinn Fein reportedly called for access for under-18s. Health spokesman Paul Givan describes the proposal as reckless…
Health Issue: Sinn Fein call for under-18 access to puberty blockers Original release: SF & Alliance must give clarity on Puberty Blockers (opens in a new tab)
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Lord Empey: Growing Intolerance Within Unionism for Differing Points of View
UUP peer Lord Empey says tolerance for differing views within unionism has declined, criticising the DUP's boycott of Stormont over the Protocol and Windsor Framework and the 'collaborators' label used against those favouring another path. He argues the Brexit negotiations and DUP-backed 2019…
Constitutional affairs International affairs Original release: Lord Empey: Growing Intolerance Within Unionism for Differing Points of View (opens in a new tab)
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Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme
Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA rejects the current Health Budget, saying it is unfairly drawn up without ministers and calls for the Core Grants Funding Scheme to be maintained and expanded to tackle health inequalities.
Health Public finance and taxation Issue: 2023 Health Budget rejection Original release: Bradshaw outlines Alliance rejection of Health Budget and seeks maintenance of Core Grants Funding Scheme (opens in a new tab)
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Sinn Féin leaders travel to Australia with message of hope and optimism
Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy TD and Pearse Doherty TD announce a trip to Australia covering Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane. They will meet ministers including Penny Wong, discuss the Northern Ireland institutions, and raise housing, health and climate policy.
Constitutional affairs Housing Original release: Sinn Féin leaders travel to Australia with message of hope and optimism (opens in a new tab)
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North Down beaches water quality testing failure incredibly concerning, says Egan
Alliance North Down MLA Connie Egan says it is very worrying that several bathing sites across North Down have failed water quality tests, prompting warning signs and advice to stay out of the water. She welcomes a DAERA water pollution investigation and says she will press DAERA and the NI…
Environment and climate Issue: North Down bathing water quality test failures and swimming warnings Original release: North Down beaches water quality testing failure incredibly concerning, says Egan (opens in a new tab)
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John Stewart MLA Calls for Action on MoT Waiting Lists
UUP MLA John Stewart calls for action on the MoT backlog, urging the re‑introduction of a Temporary Exemption Certificate to clear delays and allow fines to be appealed after motorists were told the next test date is November 2023.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: MoT testing backlog November 2023 next available date Original release: John Stewart MLA Calls for Action on MoT Waiting Lists (opens in a new tab)
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A1 safety improvements another victim of DUP boycott, says Eastwood
Lagan Valley MLA Sorcha Eastwood says the DUP's boycott of the Executive is stalling phase two of A1 safety works between Hillsborough and Loughbrickland, which need Ministerial sign-off. She is writing to the Permanent Secretary and will raise it with the Secretary of State.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: A1 Hillsborough to Loughbrickland safety improvements stalled by ministerial sign-off Original release: A1 safety improvements another victim of DUP boycott, says Eastwood (opens in a new tab)
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Concerning increases in people presenting for alcohol treatment – Thomas Gould TD
Sinn Féin's addiction and wellbeing spokesperson Thomas Gould TD urges the government to fund a response to an 8% rise in problem alcohol use reported by the Health Research Board, noting services are at capacity, a postcode lottery exists, and key parts of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act remain un‑
Health Issue: Health Research Board data on rising problem alcohol use Original release: Concerning increases in people presenting for alcohol treatment – Thomas Gould TD (opens in a new tab)
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Mike Nesbitt MLA Calls for Duty Free Anomaly to be Rectified.
UUP economy spokesperson Mike Nesbitt MLA calls for urgent action to let Northern Ireland's three airports reinstate duty free shopping on flights to the EU, saying the absence drives travellers to Republic of Ireland airports. He argues the current regime under the Windsor Framework is an anomaly…
Economy and employment Infrastructure and transport Original release: Mike Nesbitt MLA Calls for Duty Free Anomaly to be Rectified. (opens in a new tab)
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Rise in sale of illegal vapes to underage children deeply concerning, says McReynolds
Alliance East Belfast MLA Peter McReynolds says he is deeply concerned about illegal sales of disposable vapes to under-18s after meeting Belfast City Council's Tobacco Control Team. He calls for the Public Health Agency to fund Cancer Focus NI's youth awareness work and says vapes sold in…
Health Local government Issue: Belfast City Council test purchases showing illegal vape sales to under-18s Original release: Rise in sale of illegal vapes to underage children deeply concerning, says McReynolds (opens in a new tab)
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O’Toole: UK climbdown on goods quality marks underlines indefensibility and futility of DUP boycott
SDLP MLA Matthew O'Toole welcomes the UK Government's indefinite postponement of a separate UK product quality mark, saying it lowers the risk of NI-GB divergence and makes the DUP's boycott of Stormont harder to justify.
Constitutional affairs Economy and employment Issue: UK Government postpones separate UK product quality mark regime Original release: O’Toole: UK climbdown on goods quality marks underlines indefensibility and futility of DUP boycott (opens in a new tab)
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Robinson - "the ball rests at the foot of the UKG"
DUP Deputy Leader Gavin Robinson MP says the UK Government must deliver on commitments made during the Prime Minister's Northern Ireland visit, arguing that broken promises have eroded trust and that the ball is in its court over restoring Stormont.
Constitutional affairs Issue: Prime Minister's Northern Ireland visit commitments and Stormont restoration Original release: Robinson - "the ball rests at the foot of the UKG" (opens in a new tab)
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Executive needed to start fixing problems in health service – Dillon
Sinn Féin MLA Linda Dillon voices concern that roughly one in five GP training places remain unfilled, warning of staff shortages and GP losses through retirement and stress. She calls for all parties to work together at the Executive to address pressures in health services.
Health Issue: Unfilled GP training places in Northern Ireland Original release: Executive needed to start fixing problems in health service – Dillon (opens in a new tab)
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Forsythe marks World Breastfeeding Week
DUP South Down MLA Diane Forsythe says she has helped launch a Stormont event marking World Breastfeeding Week, co-sponsored with Breastival, and cites a rise in Northern Ireland's breastfeeding rate at discharge over 2013 to 2020. She encourages the public to attend and support breastfeeding…
Health Original release: Forsythe marks World Breastfeeding Week (opens in a new tab)
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TUV reiterates dangers of Windsor Whitewash and warns against the folly of restoring Stormont
TUV leader Jim Allister says the Windsor Framework has left the Irish Sea border, EU single market rules and Customs Code in place, and warns that restoring Stormont would implement the Protocol and make Union-dismantling suspension permanent.
Constitutional affairs International affairs Issue: Recently published government guidance on Irish Sea border functioning Original release: TUV reiterates dangers of Windsor Whitewash and warns against the folly of restoring Stormont (opens in a new tab)
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Cllr Brian Smyth has condemned today's announcement by the Prime Minister
Green Party Councillor Brian Smyth for Lisnasharragh condemns the Prime Minister's plan to allow 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences, saying it undermines Net Zero by 2050 and will not lower fuel bills. He calls for a renewable energy revolution with green jobs instead.
Environment and climate Economy and employment Issue: Prime Minister's approval of 100 new North Sea oil and gas licences Original release: Cllr Brian Smyth has condemned today's announcement by the Prime Minister (opens in a new tab)
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Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson
Environment and climate Economy and employment Original release: Sunak’s expansion of oil and gas ‘economically and environmentally illiterate’ says Tennyson (opens in a new tab)
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Visibility and support crucial for increasing breastfeeding rates, says Nicholl, marking World Breastfeeding Week
Alliance South Belfast MLA Kate Nicholl says visibility is key to raising breastfeeding rates, after sponsoring Breastival's #MoreThanMilk photo exhibition at Stormont for World Breastfeeding Week. She calls for the Assembly to be restored and a new breastfeeding strategy and legislation developed.
Health Issue: Breastival #MoreThanMilk photo exhibition at Stormont Original release: Visibility and support crucial for increasing breastfeeding rates, says Nicholl, marking World Breastfeeding Week (opens in a new tab)
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Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme
DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell urges the public to respond to the DfI consultation on changes to concessionary fares for over-60s, and calls on the Department to protect the scheme, citing Translink figures showing over nine million senior journeys in 2022.
Infrastructure and transport Issue: DFI consultation on raising free bus pass eligibility age Original release: Free fares Minister presses for retention of Scheme (opens in a new tab)